How To Organize Holiday Gifts: What Do You Need to Track?

I read in a recent article that many folks kicked off their Christmas Shopping with last week’s Amazon Prime Days.

Also last week, 2 different clients asked about organizing their Christmas presents. I believe in responding to organizing trends, so we’re talking holiday shopping this week!

For the record:
Christmas is over 2 months away,
I have not started shopping, and
I am not encouraging you to start unless you really feel like it.

I just want to answer the question NOW, while folks are asking!

So, the title: How to Organize Holiday Gifts: What Do You Need To Track?

When each client asked me last week how to organize their gifts, that was my first question. What do you need to track?

For example, Client #1 answered: “What I have so far and how much I have spent per person, to keep things even among my grown children and their spouses.”

This is a completely reasonable answer, and typically how I organize my gifts.

Client #2 answered: “How many gifts I have for each person, especially the little kids, because the number of gifts is how the little ones determine ‘fair’, so the number has to be the same.” And she wants to physically organize her gifts purchased so far, to make sure the piles are about equal size in addition to number. Also a completely reasonable answer, especially if you have ever watched little kids in action under the tree!


So, how DO we organize our Christmas gifts?

You have to answer the “What do I want to track?” question for yourself. Sorry. But regardless of what you’re tracking, I suggest a list. Yes, you can make piles of gifts or arrange things physically, but stuff gets moved or people come to visit, etc..

Create your list, perhaps over the course of a few days. On the list:

  • Add the names of people you are shopping for. My lists starts with, for example,
    • Husband Gifts,
    • Husband Stocking,
    • Son #1 Gifts,
    • Son #1 Stocking,
    • Son #1 Birthday (Christmas day),
    • Son #2 Gifts,
    • Son #2 Stocking,
    • Son #3 Gifts, etc….
  • Note anything you have already purchased for each recipient (both clients last week already have some things purchased).
  • Jot down any other ideas you have for each person already.
  • In this technological age, I might also add a link to their Amazon Wish List (like I just received from my Sister-In-Law for my nephew!) or other gift ideas, so I create and keep my list digital in Evernote, but you could do the same in Notes, Google Docs, etc.
  • Then, add columns or notes for what it is you want to track:
    • Perhaps you are like client #1, and want to track total amount you have to spend or have spent per person; or
    • you, like client #2, also want to track total number of gifts per person; or
    • maybe you’re like me – I need a column by due date, as I will need to ship some gifts out of state by early December; or
    • some of the gifts are group gifts, and you need to track who is responsible for which gift; and
    • For goodness sake, MAKE A NOTE OF WHERE YOU HIDE THINGS SO YOU CAN FIND THEM AGAIN!

Start the list this week, even if you haven’t started your shopping! You will be ready to jump in fully prepared when you are ready to shop!